As instructors make their final preparations for spring semester courses, please review the following instructional reminders. This note also serves as an annual reminder of the CLAS course modality policy and the CLAS instructor and student absence policies that are in effect for the academic year 2024-25.
Syllabus Template
The CLAS syllabus template was revised for AY24-25. (As a reminder, CLAS is no longer using the syllabus insert.) Unless noted, the elements on this syllabus template are required for undergraduate and graduate syllabi.
The highlighted yellow text on the syllabus template provides instructors with additional guidance and examples; this text should be reviewed by instructors as they build their syllabus and should be removed or adjusted as appropriate. Instructors are free to add images, rearrange required syllabus elements, and/or address students directly (i.e., use second person) to best convey their course content.
Syllabus and ICON Site Requirements
As a reminder, the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences require that every organized course has a syllabus and that the syllabus follows the university requirements for information provided.
Syllabi should be available to students on the course ICON site at the first-class meeting or otherwise given to students by that date, if not provided earlier. Undergraduate courses must use ICON to record and share student grades.
Departmental Review of Syllabi
DEOs must review all syllabi to ensure compliance with UI and CLAS policies. This review should be completed before the start of the semester so corrections may be made before the first day of classes.
Course Modality Policy
- Courses should be taught only the modality that is published in MyUI/MAUI (i.e. in person, synchronous online, asynchronous online or hybrid).
- Instructors are not permitted to offer overall changes in course modality due to student requests (i.e., for flexibility, academic accommodations, or other considerations). In fact, students enrolled in the course depend on it being delivered in the scheduled modality.
- Changes to the modality of a course for more than 1-2 class periods during a semester (due to an emergency or other extenuating circumstance; see Instructor Absences policy below) can be disruptive to the student experience and may impact the student learning outcomes of the course.
Instructor Absence Policy
Please note the CLAS instructor absence policies, which also apply to graduate student instructors as well:
- Instructors should arrange for coverage of teaching and office hours obligations during a brief illness or when a short absence from the classroom needs to occur.
- The DEO and course supervisor (when appropriate) should always be informed of any absence affecting teaching and the coverage plan for the course right away.
- While it is possible to cover a course remotely while the instructor needs to be away (i.e., using zoom), an instructional modality change from in-person to online for any more than 1-2 class periods total during a semester is not permitted (see Course Modality policy above).
Additionally, DEOs should encourage faculty to designate a colleague who is willing to assume their teaching responsibilities in an emergency or absence. Ideas for handling emergency absences include the following: utilizing a guest instructor to lecture; leading discussion or small group work; utilizing a guest speaker in the classroom; or having the instructor or guest speaker lecture via zoom with a TA or colleague present.
More information on this topic may be found on this page and in the UI Operations Manual, 22.3.
Student Absence Policy
Instructors should use the CLAS absence guidance summarized below:
- From Scheduled Exams
- Short-term Illness and Mental Health
- University-Sponsored Activities
- Religious Holy Days
- Military Service Obligations
- Unavoidable Circumstances and Longer Time Periods
Please remember that students with short-term illness or mental health concerns are encouraged to seek care as needed. Because medical documentation is not generally available for these short-term absences, instructors should not ask for medical documentation for short-term illnesses or mental health absences (e.g., a few class periods). Also please keep in mind that instructors are required to offer make up examinations for students who are ill or have other emergency situations arise at the time of the exam.
However, if a student’s absence extends over more than a few days in a row (or several weeks of a course), the instructor should follow up with the student and also get the student connected with resources, such as CLAS UP (clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu) (for undergraduate students) and the Dean of Students office (dos-assistance@uiowa.edu) as needed. Additionally, when undergraduate students are regularly missing classes with no communication or explanation, instructor should fill out the CLAS Academic Concern Form. For graduate students who are frequently absent from class, instructors should consult with their program’s Director of Graduate Studies.
Note: This memo was also published on January 15, 2025.